Category: General

CARE International plans to train small groups in agri-nutrition health and economic empowerment in Nakuru County.

Subsequently, the County Chief Officer for Gender, Social Services and Inclusivity Gladys Kamuren has held a meeting with over 20 Economic Empowerment Groups from Kaptembwo Ward.

The meeting centered on discussing CARE International’s role as an economic empowerment partner. During the meeting, Kamuren urged women to fortify their groups by prioritizing accountability and transparency.

This, she emphasized, would render the groups more sustainable and attractive to additional funding opportunities.

Additionally, she pledged her commitment to collaborating with CARE International to achieve their shared mission of community empowerment and improve the livelihoods of women groups.

However, a woman leader from the area, Monica Onsoti, urged the NGO to consider funding individual women who have businesses and find it difficult to operate in groups.

Onsoti said such self-made women also require
support to grow their enterprises, instead of being ignored by NGOs who purport to be supporting only groups, since growth is important and should be encouraged instead of always herding women together like sheep.

However, the women leader appreciated the county and NGOs’ backing, but said local women have grown over the years and some of them require much more support, not necessary funding, but training and education on how to grow their businesses across the borders.

She gave examples of women farmers who are always contracted by importers to grow for them vegetables and avocados for export, simply because they don’t know the procedures of becoming registered and be buying their produce directly, instead of passing through middlemen.

Onsoti said as the world celebrates International Women’s Day this Friday, they want to be treated and perceived as equal partners in business and development, and not as substitutes or weaklings, who largely depend on NGOs.

On the contrary, women should be viewed as indep
endent-minded and capable of achieving as much as any other human being, she added.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The International Women’s Day was celebrated in the presence of President Sahle-Work Zewde today.

The annually marked Women’s Day was held at the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum in the capital city under the theme: “Let’s Empower Women and Ensure Development and Peace”.

President Sahle-Work Zewde attended the ceremony joined by Women and Social Affairs Minister Ergogie Tesfaye, Addis Ababa Mayor Adanech Abebie, other federal and regional government officials, and invited dignitaries and women.

In her address, the president emphasized the women should jointly work for sustained peace in the country as they are the first and main victims of lack of peace.

Urging all stakeholders to contribute to lasting peace in Ethiopia, President Sahle-Work stressed the importance of women in leadership in order to strengthen democracy, good governance, and the rule of law.

Acknowledging Ethiopia’s efforts in promoting women’s leadership and economic opportunities, she called for further progress.

Moreover, the president
underscored the need to empower women, particularly in rural areas, by providing them with educational opportunities as the basis of empowerment.

Appreciating the women’s reform and center of excellence built by the Addis Ababa City Administration, President Sahle-Work stressed the need to build such an institution in other parts of the country.

She further added the importance of strengthening the African Women Leaders Network.

Women and Social Affairs Minister Ergogie Tesfaye reaffirmed on her part the government’s determination to strengthen women’s overall participation, benefit, and well-being.

Highlighting the International Women’s Day as a day to celebrate the achievements of women who fought for equality and basic rights, the minister emphasized the crucial role women that constitute more than half of the country’s population (52 percent) play in Ethiopia’s development.

She further elaborated on the efforts to increase women’s participation in government positions and leadership roles.

Ergogie f
inally reiterated the government’s commitment to creating a system that empowers women not just in positions of authority, but also in economic, social, and political spheres.

Mayor Adanech Abebie said the city administration has been working to ensure women’s benefits as its key task.

Accordingly, the city administration has built a women’s reform and center of excellence to alleviate the economic and social pressure of women, she pointed out.

The center will provide training every year for about 10,000 women engaged as prostitutes to prepare for employment.

The mayor revealed that the women’s reform and center of excellence will be inaugurated next week.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

The government has set aside Sh5 billion for the provision of subsidized fertilizer, which will be distributed to farmers across the 47 counties during this long rain season.

Government Spokesperson Dr. Isaac Mwaura said the impact of the government’s program on the distribution of subsidized fertilizer improved the country’s agricultural sector in the last three quarters of 2023.

‘The sector grew by 6.1 percent in the first quarter, 8.2 percent in the second quarter and 6.7 percent in the third quarter,’ he said.

The Government Spokesperson who was speaking at Konza Technocity in Machakos County during his weekly briefing announced that 18 counties are also set to benefit from Sh. 4.5 billion under the County Aggregated Industrial Parks Progamme.

He said each county will be allocated Sh. 250 million, which they will utilise to create job opportunities for the youth and promote the local manufacturing industries in their areas.

Counties that will benefit include Bungoma, Busia, Embu, Garissa, Homa Bay,
Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Machakos, Meru, Migori, Mombasa, Murang’a, Nakuru, Nandi, Nyamira, Siaya, Trans Nzoia and Uasin Gishu.

Mwaura added that the County Governments Additional Allocation Bill, 2023 has provided an additional Sh.46, 362,301,459 to counties for financial year 2023/2024, where Sh.10, 116, 848,690 is an additional allocation from the National Government’s share of revenue that has been set aside for implementation of the fertilizer subsidy, industrial parks and construction of county headquarters.

The Bill has also allocated Sh454 million to five counties for the construction of county headquarters offices in Isiolo, Lamu, Tana River, Tharaka Nithi, and Nyandarua.

The Government Spokesperson said the purpose of constructing the headquarters in those counties is to promote devolution and ensure the appropriate infrastructure necessary to perform their respective functions.

Present at the event were Deputy Government Spokespersons Mwanaisha Chizuga and Gabriel Muthuma as well as the Konza Technop
olis Chief Executive Officer John Okwiri.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Ethiopian Airlines has colorfully celebrated the International Women’s Day, March 8 with an all women-functioned flight to London-Heathrow

Ethiopian Airlines Group, one of the fastest growing airline brands globally, and the leading aviation group in Africa, has colorfully celebrated the International Women’s Day, March 8 with an all women-functioned flight to London-Heathrow.

The airline commemorated the day at Ethiopian Skylight Hotel, honoring women’s contribution in the aviation industry.

The celebration took place in the presence of high-ranking government officials, ambassadors, honorable guests alongside the incredible women of Ethiopian Airlines, with the theme “Empowering Women: Connecting Africa.’

Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines Mesfin Tasew on the occasion acknowledged the invaluable role of women in driving the success of Ethiopian Airlines.

‘As staunch advocates of gender equality, we’re honored to have women professionals excelling in every facet of our operations, showcasing remarkable pe
rformance and dedication in their line of work.”

He added that today, we shine a spotlight on these trailblazers who are not only shaping the legacy of Ethiopian Airlines but also inspiring future generations of women in aviation. “As is our custom, we are thrilled to announce the launch of our all-women-operated flight to London to grace the day,” he stated.

The celebration further proceeded with an all-women-functioned flight from Addis Ababa to London commanded by Captain Kalkidan Girma, the first Ethiopian female captain of the Airbus A350.

Group VP Human Capital Management, Zenebework G/Tsadik on her part remarked that Ethiopian Airlines is an equal opportunity employer.

‘We consistently prioritize inclusive work environment that empowers women to make significant contributions in various roles within the company and we strongly believe in promoting equal gender opportunity at every level.’

The captain of this year’s all women functioned flight, Captain Kalkidan Girma stated, “This all-women-functio
ned flight initiative not only empowers women but also sends a powerful message about gender equality. We want to inspire future generations of female aviators and we continue to lead the way in promoting gender equality within the aviation industry.’

Ethiopian Airlines Group boasts women professionals in various areas of its operations including male dominated line of works such as pilot, aircraft technician and more.

The airline has also been operating all women functioned flights to different parts of the world since 2015, showing the professionalism and capability in women.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

WINDHOEK: The Namibian Police Force (NamPol) has issued a plea to the public to refrain from sharing videos depicting incidents that occurred outside Namibia, in so doing creating fear and panic within the community.

The police force in a media statement said a distressing video featuring the assault and mistreatment of a defenceless minor by an adult female at an unidentified day care centre has been circulating on WhatsApp. The statement clarified that the video footage dates back two to three years and did not take place within Namibia.

It further said the dissemination of such graphic content on social media has sparked public outcry and raised concerns, leading to confusion, fear, and panic within the community. NamPol therefore urges the public to desist from circulating videos depicting incidents that did not occur in Namibia.

‘The Namibian Police Force is mandated, among others, to protect life and property, as well as to investigate offenses or alleged offenses. Members of the public are herewith
assured that the force remains committed to executing its duties effectively and efficiently. Equally, the Namibian Police Gender Based Violence Division has been established to, among others, address issues involving minors and their protection,’ the statement said.

The police force encouraged the public to report any criminal activities occurring within their communities to their nearest police station.

Source: Namibia Press Agency

The Government will distribute food stuffs worth Sh. 123,052,000 to vulnerable Muslim households during the Ramadhan period, expected to start next week.

Government Spokesperson, Dr. Isaac Mwaura, said the government started the initiative to have the vulnerable access nutritious meals, as a way to promote religious observance, reduce financial strain, encourage social inclusion, to demonstrate the government’s dedication to fairness, empathy and unity among all citizens.

Speaking at the Konza TechnoCity, during a press briefing, Mwaura said the foodstuffs to be distributed include 50 bags of Rice (32,640,000), 50 bags of beans (90M), 190 cartoons of vegetable oil (76,000 and 28 boxes of sardines (336,000).

The month of Ramadhan is expected to start on Monday March 11th this year.

Ramadan is the Ninth Month of the Islamic Calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide, as a month of fasting (sawm), prayer, reflection, and community. The observance of Ramadan is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam and l
asts twenty-nine to thirty days, from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The police in the Oshikoto Region have opened a case of murder against a 35-year-old mentally challenged man after he reportedly set a hut on fire, which led to the death of a six-year-old girl.

The Namibian Police Force’s Crime Investigation Coordinator for Oshikoto, Deputy Commissioner Titus Ekandjo, said the incident occurred around 23h00 on Thursday at Omugulugoonime village in the Omuntele Constituency.

The deceased has been identified as Gift Kaarina Imbili, who was a Grade 1 learner at Uukuma Combined School. A case of murder has been opened against the suspect.

‘It is alleged that the suspect came home from the Omulegongo location and found his family asleep. He started shouting at them, telling them to get out of the sleeping room before he sets it on fire, but no one came out and he set the hut on fire,’ said Ekandjo.

The suspect’s brother woke up when he heard the noise, rushed to his family members’ aid and kicked the door of their hut open.

‘The suspect’s mother came out carrying a small ch
ild, the brother to the deceased. The deceased was under the bed and there was no chance to save her,’ said Ekandjo.

The suspect’s 73-year-old mother and the four-year-old boy sustained serious injuries.

The suspect has been arrested and will appear in the magistrate’s court at Ondangwa on Monday.

Police investigations continue.

Source: Namibia Press Agency